Augusta GA vs Grand Rapids MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 197,768 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 32.8% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 56.5% | 17.9% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $309,801 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Augusta +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Augusta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Augusta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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